Explore, discuss and identify shapes that are and are not triangles
I can say if a shape is a triangle or not and explain why.
Explore, discuss and identify shapes that are and are not triangles
I can say if a shape is a triangle or not and explain why.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Use everyday language to describe what different shapes look like.
- Identify shapes that are triangles because they have 3 straight sides and 3 vertices.
- A vertex is the corner of the shape where the sides meet.
Keywords
Sides - The edges of a shape.
Vertices - The corners of a shape where two or more sides meet.
Triangle - A 2D shape with three straight sides and three vertices.
Straight - A line or surface with no curves.
Common misconception
Children may mistake some 'triangle-like' shapes as triangles.
Provide cut-outs of shapes to handle and explore. Make a list of properties a triangle must have and discuss them for each cut-out.
To help you plan your year 1 maths lesson on: Explore, discuss and identify shapes that are and are not triangles, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 1 maths lesson on: Explore, discuss and identify shapes that are and are not triangles, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 1 maths lessons from the Recognise, compose, decompose and manipulate 2D and 3D shapes unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions













Exit quiz
6 Questions














